May 2nd, 2007

You are not supporting the troops by parading around with a magnetic yellow ribbon on your car.

You are not supporting the troops by wearing a particular color one day a week.

You are not supporting the troops by clapping for them in airports.

You are not supporting the troops by hollow gestures that can and will be as forgotten as the names and faces of the 3,351 you didn't know and will never be able to know.

My friend lifeasicit said it best when he told me "There is a big difference between supporting the troops and not supporting those who run the war. There are many circumstances that cause a person to enlist and it is not for us to understand why, only to let them know we care and have not forgotten them." Having served in the military himself, he echoes my feelings perfectly, which is why I am trying to be proactive.

We need to remember them and properly mourn them when they die so senselessly, but that is not enough. We need to do more to support those in harm's way. If the powers that be won't, then it is up to the citizens of this country to take care of our own. They are our children and they are in harm's way - what more motivation does one need?

Fisher House - This organization provides housing for military family members near where their loved ones are hospitalized and/or while they are doing long-term physical therapy.

Caring Bridge - Not specific to the military, but this organization provides free web sites where family members can post about the recovery process of an injured soldier and keep a large group of family and friends informed.

Attend public events where members of Congress and other politicians will appear

Make A Care Package & Send It Yourself

This is easy, requires little time or effort, and will really make a difference. You can even go in on items with a friend, get together a group of people and go shopping for items, make a night of it. Tell people what you're doing and explain how they can do it as well.

President Bush coined a new nickname for himself — ‘’the commander guy” — on Wednesday, as he criticized Congressional Democrats in a speech to the annual gathering of the Associated General Contractors of America, a construction industry trade group.

The man who last year proclaimed “I’m the decider,’’ in response to a question about whether he would fire Donald Rumsfeld as defense secretary, came up with this latest moniker in explaining why he vetoed an Iraq war spending bill that dictated a timeline for troops to withdraw from Iraq.

“The question is, ‘Who ought to make that decision, the Congress or the commanders?,’’ Mr. Bush said. “As you know, my position is clear – I’m the commander guy.”

ROME (Reuters) - The Vatican's official newspaper accused an Italian comedian on Wednesday of "terrorism" for criticizing the Pope and warned his rhetoric could fuel a return to 1970s-style political violence.

In an unusually strongly worded editorial, L'Osservatore Romano said a presenter of a televised May Day rock concert, which is sponsored by Italy's labor unions, had launched "vile attacks" on Pope Benedict in front of an "excitable crowd".

"This, too, is terrorism. It's terrorism to launch attacks on the Church," it said. "It's terrorism to stoke blind and irrational rage against someone who always speaks in the name of love, love for life and love for man."

So basically, Der Chimpenfuhrer again proves he is less adept than a fuckin' 12 year old boy, and the Catholic Church has the goddamned nerve to posit that being held to scutiny is tantamount to a terrorist action.

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"Commander guy". Sounds catchy. Like something you'd want to call your team leader in a nifty game of night time lazer tag - but certainly not what one wants to hear from the President of the United States. Hands up - who else is again made to feel completely embarrassed to be an American by this stupid motherfucker? I swear, every time he opens his smirking suck hole it's like watching really bad karaoke. I'm no fan of American Idol, but I'd rather suffer Sangina singing all 6 hours of American Pie while being fisted by Randy Jackson than to have GWB make me suffer one more Bushism.

As for the Vatican thing, what a bunch of juiceless, raggedy-assed, spineless, insipid, kid fucking motherfuckers! You cunting bastards have the fucking nerve to tell me I'm evil for being a faggot, but when someone - a goddamned comedian, for shit's sake - takes a jab at you, you cry terrorism and scream "RED BRIGADES!! QUICK, HIDE THE ALTAR WINE AND EUCHARIST WAFERS!!" And of course by alter wine I mean Jesus juice and by eucharist wafers I mean Snicker's bars laced with roofies.

If criticizing the Catholic Church is the same thing as terrorism, then from now on just call me Osama bin Fagulous, leader of the Al Gayda network. We're coming for you, Benny, you Emperor Palpatine looking whore - and we're bringing poppers, Crisco, and an arsenal of dildoes from Fort Troff - piss me off, and I'll bring Christopher Lowell too. You are SO fucked, bitches.